Methods of and apparatus for manufacturing thread or the like



' Oct. 15 1940.

F. .1. SAMERDYKE ET AL 2,217,707

} METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING TH READ OR LIKE I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original-Filed Dec. 11, 1935 I LIE mum)" II INV ENTORS FRED U. SAMERDYKE. BY LOUIS E, Love-r1- ATTORNEY I 15 1940- F. J. SAMERDYKE ET AL Q 2,217,707

METHODS OFiAND AEIIPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING THREAD OR THE LIKE Original Filed D60. 11, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIIHI HEM/l2 IIJII 5mm Illllll INVENTQORS FRED J. SAMERDYKE ii. BY LOUIS E. LOVETTu ATTORN EY 15 1940- F. J. SAMERDYKE Er AL 2,217,707

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING THREAD OR THE LIKE I I Original Filed Dec. 11, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l0 INVENTORS- HQ .10 FRED J. SAMERDYKE.

' BY LOUIS E. LOVETT @ZK Q ATTORNEY Oct 15 F. J. SAMERDYKE ET AL- 2,217,707

-nmsrnons or AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING THREAD "or; THE LIKE Original Filed Dec. 11; 1935 4 sheets s he t 4 FT J?! INVENTORS BY LOUIS E. LovE'rT ATTORNEY FRED \LsAMERDYKE Patented Oct. 15, 1940 UNITED STATES METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANU- FACTURING THREAD OR THE LIKE Fred J. Samerdyke, Rocky River, and Louis E.

Lovett, Cleveland Hei Industrial Rayon Corp ghts; Ohio, assignors to oration, Cleveland, Ohio,

a corporation of Delaware Application December 11, 1935, Serial No. 53,918 Renewed August 4, 1939 19 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of thread, filaments, bands, tapes, ribbons, staple fibre or like articles, hereinafter referred to as thread or the like, according to an evaporative method; more particularly, to the manufacture of such articles, regardless of their nature, according to a method in and by which the thread or the like is formed by extrusionof a suitable suspension, solution on other dispersion of a plastic mass in a fugitive liquid vehicle. Preferably such fugitive liquid vehicle comprises a volatile solvent which can be caused to evaporate and thus leave the thread or the like in a plastic or solid condition. The invention is-especiallyuseful in the manufacture according to the evaporative spinning process of artificial silk thread or the like, as, for example, the manufacture of such thread from suitable volatile solvent solutions of cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, cellulose ethers or other cellulose derivatives.

Conventional machines for the manufacture of thread or the like according to the evaporative spinning process usually comprise a series of evaporative chambers in the upper portion of each of which are one or more spinning nozzles.-

A suspension, solution or other dispersion of a suitable plastic mass is extruded from the spinning nozzle, forming-the thread or the like, which is drawn downward from the spinning nozzle and out of the chamber at the bottom thereof. The

thread or the like is collected in any desired manner, usually with twisting, byappropriate devices located at the front of the machine. An evaporative medium is admitted to the chamber, preferably at the bottom, such evaporative medium usually being air, heated either externally or internally of the chamber, as by means of suitable pipes located therein. The fugitive liquid vehicle inwhich the plastic mass is suspended,dissolved or 40 otherwise dispersed is caused to evaporate from the thread or the like during its passage through the evaporative chamber. Solvent-laden evaporative media are generally drawn off from the tops of the evaporative chambers and passed to suitable" solvent recovery systems. The foregoing comments'apply to most, if not actually all, commercially available evaporative spinning machines, but'are particularly applicable to ma chines of the type employed for spinning thread or the like of cellulose acetate.

For the complete solidification of thread or the like of cellulose'acetate, employing the solvents generally used and under the spinning conditions found most desirable, an exposure of approximately two seconds to warm air at temperatures of 50 to C. is required for thread or thelike of ordinary denier. With spinning speeds of the order of meters per minute, which, for

economy and other reasons, are the most practicable, this necessitates a distance of from three to five yards, depending on the'denier, between the spinneret and the point at which the thread or the like leaves the evaporative chamber. Even with this distance, an appreciable amount of the solvent remains in the thread or the like as it leaves the chamber and is lost. Conventional cellulose acetate spinning machines are there'- fore tall, usually at least twelve feet high, and the spinneret is consequently positioned at a considerable height above the operator; so that, even if the chamber wall at the operating face of the machine is provided with a window, it is impossible to observe the spinneret closely from the floor. e spinneret can be inspected only from a catwal provided at the rear of the machine for maintenance purposes. The height of the evaporative chamber results in still other disadvantages, among them the height of the plant building required, difiiculty in constructing'the machine, 'difliculty inservicing and repairing the machine, and difficulties in maintaining proper temperatures and other spinning conditions. Analogous considerations apply to machines for the manufacture of thread or the like, regardless of its nature, by evaporative spinning processes other than the celluloseacetate process.

It is an object of this invention, among other things, to minimize difliculties arising fromthe height of the evaporative chamber heretofore required by reducing the height of such chamber while nevertheless providing complete solidification of the thread or the like. It is a further object of the invention to make possible an increase in the amount of the solvent recovered from thread or the like manufactured according to evaporative methods. It is still a further object of the invention to expose to the effects of the treating medium a greater length of thread or the like than heretofore possible. Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be brought out more in detail in the appended description and claims.

Briefly, the invention involves, inter alia, the employment in association with an evaporative chamber of one or more thread-storage devices, preferably, but not necessarily, of a type on which a length of thread or, the like is temporarily stored, continuously treated and positively advanced in the form of a relatively large number of helical or generally helical turns. One or more thread-storage devices may be disposed within the evaporative chamber, in separate chambers associated therewith, or outside of the evaporative chamber. If desired, a plurality of'threadstorage'devices may be employed in various combinations of these arrangements. In all of these cases, advantages result which will be explained more in detail hereinafter.

For illustration, but in no sense of limitation, the invention will be described in connection with the manufacture of multiple filament artificial silk thread produced from an acetone solution of cellulose acetate.

In the drawings, in which are depicted five different embodiments of the invention and in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation from line I-I of Figure 2 of one embodiment of the invention in which a single thread-storage device is employed in conjunction with a relatively short evaporative chamber; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same embodiment with parts broken away for the sake of clearness. Figure 3 is a section along line 3-3 of Figure 4 of one form of threadstorage device which may be used to advantage in the practice of the invention; Figure 4 is an end elevation thereof; and Figure 5 is a section corresponding to that of Figure 3 of another form of thread-storage device, the same including means for supplying treating medium to the thread or the like from the interior of the device. Figure 6 is a section along line 66 of Figure 7 showing another embodiment of the invention in which a plurality of thread-storage devices are disposed in a relatively short evaporative chamber. Figure 'I is a front elevation of the embodiment of Figure 6 parts being shown as broken away.

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation along line 88 of Figure 9 of another embodiment of the invention embracing a plurality of thread-storage devices associated with a relatively short evaporative chamber, means being provided for applying treating medium to the thread stored thereon. Figure 9 is a corresponding front elevation with parts broken away. Figure 10 is an elevation along line Ill-40 of Figure 11 of an embodiment of the invention including a relatively long evaporative chamber, a first thread-storage device disposed within said chamber, and a second threadstorage device positioned outside said chamber. Figure 11 is a front elevation of the same embodiment, parts being broken away. Figure 12, which corresponds to line I2-I2 of Figure 13, illusting the thread-storage devices.

trates an embodiment of the invention employing a plurality of thread-storage devices, in this case two, associated with a relatively long evaporative chamber on each of which devices treating me dium may be applied to the thread; Figure 13 is a corresponding front elevation, parts being broken away; and Figure 14 is an elevation along line I4I4 of Figure 12 showing a method of mount- '1n the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the multiple filament thread I is formed in the usual manner by extrusion of the spinning solution of cellulose acetate, containing acetone as a solvent, from the spinneret 2 into the evaporative chamber 3. While more than one spinneret may be positioned in each evaporative chamber, only one.

is shown here for the purpose of illustration. A plurality of evaporative chambers 3 may, as in conventional evaporative spinning machines, be

disposed side by side in'a longitudinal bank or series, as shown in all the illustrated embodiments of the invention, in which case advantages as to construction, power drives, etc., result. The walls of the evaporative chambers 3 may be suitably insulated, as in conventional practice, for temperature control. The spinning solution may be supplied to each spinneret in any desired manner as by means of supply line 4 and pump 5 which is driven through gears 6 from drive shaft 1, common to all spinneret pumps, and which communicates with the spinneret 2 through pipe 8 and candle filter 9.

The thread I, after being formed by extrusion, passes to a suitable thread-storage device II on which any desired length of thread may be continuously but temporarily stored, for purposes to be later described, after which it may be collected by any suitable device, as by cap-twister I2.

Thread-storage device I I-may'take any suitable form. Preferably, a thread-storage device is used on which the thread is positively advanced in a large number of helical or generally'helical turns. The thread-storage devices illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5 take the form of reels of the same general type as that shown, described and claimed in an application entitled Winding reel," Serial No. 652,089, filed January 16, 1933, in the name of Walter F. Knebusch. If desired, reference may be had to the corresponding British patent, which is identified as specification No. 413,414.

The reel of Figures 3 and 4 comprises two rigid generally cylindrical members I3 and I4, rotatably mounted with their axes slightly offset from and inclined to each other.

Member I3, which may be termed the concentric member, is mounted concentrically of and for rotation with drive shaft I5, having its periphery made up of a plurality of bar-like members Hi. The concentric member l3 in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 may be fixed to the drive shaft I5 by means of a key and nut I! which provides for easy removal of this member when desired. Drive shaft I5 may be journalled in the correct position in frame member I8, on which eccentric member I4 may be rotatably mounted with its axis in offset and inclined relationship with regard to the axis of member I3. The periphery of member I4 is composed of a plurality of longitudinally extending bars I9, the number of which is preferably the same as that of the bar-like members I6 of member I3 and which are alternately disposed with respect to said bar-like members I5.

These bars l9 may be supported in any suitable manner, as that shown, in which they are supported from one end by being clamped between the outer and inner ring-like members 2I and 22, respectively internally and externally tapered and secured together by screws 23. The inner ringl'ike member 22 may be provided with a central sleeve 24, concentric therewith, which is journalled on frame member I8 with its axis in the aforesaid offset and inclined relation to that of member l3. A tubular flexible sealing member 25, which may take the form of a bellows as shown, may be provided to enclose that portion of the mechanism surrounding shaft I5 between members I3 and I4, and thus provide protection for this mechanism as well as prevent the escape of lubricants, etc.

Rotation of the drive shaft I5 causes concentric member I3 to rotate therewith and contact between the bar-like members I6 of member I! and the bars IQ of member I4 causes the latter member to rotate. Rotation of the reel causes the thread to wind on the reel and, by the action of the offset and inclined members l3 and I4, to form spaced substantially helical turns which I progress axially along the reel in a manner more ning machine.

fully described in the aforesaid Knebusch application. By suitable construction and rotation of the reel, the thread may be caused to wind on the reel at the rear and progress in substantially helicalturns toward the front, or from left to right in Figure 3, where the thread is discharged or taken off, as by suitable guide means.

A reel of the open-ended type; that is, a reel supported at one end only with no projecting shaft at the other end, such, for example, as the reel described, offers certain advantages in threading up or manipulating the thread while starting it on the reel, as well as certain] constructional advantages arising out of the possibility of supporting the reel at one-end only. With a reel of this or similar type, any desired length of thread within reasonable limits may thus be continuously but temporarily stored in a relatively small space without tangling or interference of the thread. Thus it is possible in a relatively small space to perform various processing treatments on the thread, which operations would otherwise require much greater space and more complication of spinning machine construction than is practicable in the conventional. evaporative spinning practice.

Figure 5 illustrates a modification of the type of reel illustrated. in Figures 3 and 4, in which modification means are provided for supplying treating medium, either gaseous or liquid, to the thread or the like on the reel from the interior of the reel. In the case illustrated, the concentric reel member I3 a has a hollow body or chamber 26, the inner end of which is closed off by the hub 21. The outer endthereof is closed off by cover or cap 23, held in place by a plug bolt 29 which also closes the end of the hollow shaft I50. and secures concentric reel member l3a in place against pin 30 on shaft l5a. Ports 3| in the hollow shaft l5a, by means of which the treating medium is supplied to the reel, communicate with the interior chamber 25 of the reel. A- plurality of holes 32 in the wall of the chamber 26 permit the treating medium in the interior of the reel to reach the thread stored thereon. The mechanical operation of this reel may be exactly similar to that of the reel of Figures 3 and 4.

For convenience, the invention will be described in connection with thread-advancing reels of the type shown inFigures 3 and 4 and Figure 5, al-

though other forms of thread-storage devices may be used instead.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, a reel of the type illustrated in Figure 5 is used, but it is apparent that by suitable modification of the apparatus the reel of Figures 3 and 4 may be employed. The reel may be mounted and positively driven in the manner shown. Reel frame member i8 is mounted on the frame 33 of the spin- Each reel in the horizontal series formed by the reels in adjacent chambers may be driven from a longitudinal drive shaft 34 through helical gears 35, 3B, the latter of which is mounted for rotation with the reel drive shaft l 511. Treating medium is supplied to the interior of the reel, from which it reaches the thread on Evaporative medium may be supplied to evapo- Q ratlve chamber 3 by a supply pipe 42 or from chamber 38, if an evaporative medium is supplied thereto.

orative medium. The solvent-laden evaporative medium may be drawn off by any suitable means, as through the exhaust manifold 44 which may. be positioned at the top of the evaporative chamber 3. If a heated evaporative medium is used,

the spinning solution may, if desired, be-heated by causing it to pass, on its way to the spinneret.

through a passage 40 which may be heated by the gases in the manifold, as shown.

It has been found that the filaments dry sufliciently at a short distance-from the spinneret to retain their shape and eliminate sticking even though they still contain a-large amount of sol vent.

Therefore, the distance between the spinneret and the reel succeeding it may be relatively short and thus make it possible to decrease the required height of the evaporative chamber.

.large proportion of the volatile solvent is removed in a short distance after the thread leaves the spinneret, much of the volatile solvent in this case is removed by evaporation in chamber 3. The remainder may be removed in chamber 38 while the thread is stored on the reel ll therein by means of evaporative medium supplied to the thread, as from the interior of the reel.

By the employment of a suitable thread-storage device on which a very considerable length of thread is stored in a small space, it is possible to subject a much greater length of thread than heretofore possible to the action of an evaporative medium.

Thus, for example, with a reel of five inch diameter which has a thread-bearing surface five inches long, it is readily possible to store more than fifty feet of thread,meanwhile subjecting it to treating or evaporative medium, since fifty turns or more of thread may be easily stored on a reel of this size. Therefore, the possibility of complete removal, and consequent recovery, of the volatile solvent before the thread leaves the chamber is greatly increased, since the thread may be subjected to evaporative medium for a much longer period than heretofore possible. Also, a much smaller amount of evaporative medium is required, since the thread is subjected-to it for a longer period of time. Likewise, by the useof the thread-storage device in chamber 38 Heating pipes 43 may be provided 'in the evaporative chamber 3 to heat the evap- The remainder of the volatile solvent in the thread may separate from the evaporative chamber 3, it is possible to provide different evaporative conditions in the two chambers, which may result in certain advantages; for instance, it may be desirable to maintain temperature differences in the two cells in which case the luster and/or other physical properties of the thread may be controlled to a certain extent. 3

When the spinning machine is being started, the thread drops straight down from spinneret 2 as in conventional machines, as illustrated by the dotted lines I of Figure 2, through slot 45, and

- past guide 46, which associates the filam nts, to

the reel H. Access to-the reel maybe had for threading up purposes through the door 41. The

thread is wound roughly a few times around the chine.

4 the evaporative chamber 3.

reel after which the action of the elements thereof during rotation causes the thread to form spaced substantial helical turns which progress axially along the reel until they are discharged or taken off at the end thereof. Aguide 48 may be provided to guide the: thread at this point. Means, such as the sliding latch 50, may be provided to reduce the opening at slot 45 after the thread has been started on reel ll. Thread may leave the chamber, as shown, at the bottom through a slot 49 which may be formed at the junction of the door 41 and the wall of the chamber 38. The thread may thereafter pass to the collecting device.

In conventional evaporative spinning practice, the thread is generallytwisted immediately after being produced. Therefore, various forms of captwisting apparatus are shown in the embodiments of this invention as the collecting devices, although any suitable collecting devices may be used. Since a positively driven reel is used, 'the draw-off roll, employed on conventional machines to draw the thread from the spinneret, may be dispensed with and the thread passed directly from the reel to the cap-twisting device l2, as through the guide which may be pivotally mounted to be swung out of the way when the cap 52 is removed from the twister. The employment of the reel and the elimination of the draw-off roll also makes it pow'ble to place the cap-twisting apparatus under the evaporative chamber, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or partly under the chamber, as shown in Figures and 11, in either of which cases a considerable saving of floor space results.

In the twisting apparatus shown, the rotatable whirls 53 of a pair of adjacent twisters are driven by belt 54 from the conventional drum 55, a suitable tensioning device 56 and guide roller 51 be-' ing provided for each belt. The spindle shafts 58 of all twisters may be mounted on the spindle rail 59 which is rigidly fastened to the frame of the spinning machine. The apparatus for vertically reciprocating the lifting rail 6| comprises one or more chains 62, each of which is fastened to a sprocket 63 rigidly mounted, as by a key, on the shaft 64 extending longitudinally of the ma- Shaft 64 is given an oscillatory motion by means of a chain 65 fastened to sprocket 56 which is rigidly mounted on shaft 64, which chain 65 is given the required motion'tov cause it to wind and unwind from sprocket 66 by means of the lever 61 actuated by the cam 68 from shaft 69. Shaft 69 is given the desired rotating motion by some suitable means, not shown.

The spinning machine embodied in Figures 1 and 2 may be considerably shorter than conventional spinning machines. As shown, the spinneret 2 may be easily observed from the'fioor through the window-10 provided in the wall of Door H may be provided, as in conventional machines, for access to the splnneret and candle filter 9 from, the

the unsupported end of the reel II, a similar door is preferably provided at the front of the mapositioned in a stepped arrangement, the'axes of the reels being horizontal, with the discharge end of the first reel adjacent the receiving end of the succeeding reel. The reels may be mounted and driven in any suitable manner. In that shown, the reel frame members l8 are supported by the longitudinally extending spinning machine '3 at the top by means of the exhaust manifold 44.

The thread I, which in the conventional manner is formed by extrusion of the spinning solution from the splnneret 2 into the evaporative chamber 3, passes through guide [9, which associates the filaments of the thread I and guides it on the first reel 14 on whichthe thread is continuously temporarily stored and advanced in substantially helical form axially of the reel 14 until it leaves the reel, passing through guide 8| to the receiving end of the next reel 15, where it is stored and advanced axially until caused to leave the reel by guide 82.. The thread i may leave the evaporative chamber 3 through the bottom as in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 or through a slot 33 in the side of the chamber, as shown. Doors 85, 86 may be provided for access to the reels for threading up, etc. Windows may be provided in the doors so the operation of the reels may be observed without opening evaporative chamber 3. The slot 83 through whichthe thread leaves the chamber may be located at the lower edge of door 86. As in the previous embodiments, a window 10 may be provided at the front or operating side of the apparatus for observance of the spinneret, etc., while the door 1i may be provided at the rear for access to the splnneret I and candle filter 9.

Certain advantages arise from using one or more thread-storage devices in an evaporative atmosphere. In the usual evaporative spinning, the surface of each filament, upon extrusion, hardens first, since it is exposed to a highly evaporative medium. A short distance away from the splnneret, the surface of the filament is hard enough so that stickiness is not present, but a plastic core is contained within the skin-like outer surface of the filament. In conventional evaporative spinning practice, the thread is passed through the evaporative chamber at a speed which makes uniform solidification-of each filament throughout its cross section impossible before it is withdrawn from the chamber. skin-like outer surface, which has hardened rapidly, often breaks due to the shrinkage of the core when it hardens, with consequent impairment of appearance and physical properties of the thread. By exposing the thread to the evaporative atmosphere while a relatively long length of thread is stored on one or more thread-storage devices, it is possible to obtain more uniform solidification throughout the cross section of each filament, since such drastic evaporative conditions as are required to evaporate the solvent and solidify the thread in an extremely short time in ordinary practice are notrequired if a longer period for evaporation is allowed.

The

Thus in the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7, what is in efiect a two-stage evaporation process is obtained by the use of the reels I4, 15. That is, evaporative medium atthe level of reel l4 contains a certain amount of the volatile solvent due to evaporation of solvent from the thread stored on reel 15. The thread on reel I4, being stored for an interval in this evaporative atmosphere,

has time for a more uniform degree of solidifica-- tion to occur throughout, since the outer surface of the filaments will tend to become softer while the plastic core will solidify somewhat. A similar action takes place on the lower reel I5 except that the thread on this reel, being' exposed to a. fresh evaporative medium, as from pipe 11, will become uniformly substantially completely solidi.- fied, without checking or cracking of the surfaces of the filaments. Of course, if more than two reels are used, evaporative time is increased with an increase in beneficial results.

By enclosing the reels in suitable processing chambers, as in other embodiments illustrated, it is possible to apply evaporative media of different characteristics to the thread and thus obtain a measure of control over the evaporation heretofore impossible. In this embodiment, as in others in which an evaporative medium is applied to the thread while it is stored on a thread-storage device, an increase in the length of thread exposed to the evaporative medium without a corresponding increase in the length of the evaporative chamber is made possible. Much the same holds.

true of various other resulting advantages, such as a lower required temperature of the evaporative medium, since more timeis allowed for evaporation; less required evaporative'medium, since the thread is exposed to the evaporative medium for a longer period; accurate controlof the characteristics of the evaporative medium,'

since a smaller quantity is used; consequent economies of operation, etc.

Another embodiment of the invention in which a plurality of thread-storage devices, which may take the form of reels of the types described, are

. by partitions 9I, 92, 93, in which case chambers 94, 95, 96 enclosing the respective reels 81,- 88, 89

are formed. Various treating media may therefore be applied to .the thread stored on said reels. The reels may be of a type similar to the reel of Figure 5 in which the treating medium may be supplied to the thread from the interior of the reel.

Thus in the apparatus of Figures 8 and 9, the treating medium for each reel in a horizontal series is supplied from the pipe 31 to the hollow= reel drive shaft journalled in reel frame member I8, which is so formed and mounted as to support the reel in the desired inclined position. Suitable means as pipe 4| may be provided for exhausting or removing the treating medium from the chamber enclosing each reel. The reels may be driven,

if desired, by means similarto that previously illustrated which comprises a longitudinal drive shaft 34 for each horizontal series of relsfrom which each reel in the series is driven by helical gears 35, 36. Doors 98, 99, I00 may be provided for access to the respective reels while guides I02 may be provided to guide the thread as it starts on each reel. A guide I03 is supplied for the thread I as it leaves the last chamber 96, as through slot 83 at the edge of door I00.

The evaporative chamber 3 may be relatively short, as in the previous embodiment, since, if desired, the remaining solvent in the thread I may be evaporated on one or more of the succeeding I reels. Evaporative medium may be drawn into chamber 3 from one or more'of the succeeding chambers. enclosing the reels, if evaporative medium is supplied thereto, or the evaporative medium may be supplied by some independent means as pipe 42. Evaporative medium may be exhausted from evaporative chamber 3 in any desired manner as by the exhaust manifold Mi. Heating means, as pipes 43, may be provided in the chamber. Window I0 in the wall at the front or operating side of the machine may be supplied for observing the spinneret and thread while the door -II may be furnished in the opposite wall of the machine for access to the upper part of the evaporative chamber. I

While all the previously described embodiments have included relatively short evaporative chambers, suitable thread-storage devices may, according to this invention, be advantageously employed in association with relatively long evaporative chambers, chambers as long, for instance, as those of conventional spinning machines. Thus, in the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11, the thread I after being formed by extrusion of the spinning cessing treatments may be performed, after which the thread passes to another reell06 outside of the evaporative chamber, on which reel other processing treatments may be applied to the thread, after which it may pass to a suitable collecting device, as cap-twister I 2.

As shown, thereel I05 is adapted for the application of liquid treating medium to the thread stored thereon. The liquid treating apparatus may take any suitable form, as that illustrated, which comprises a reagent distributor I 07. positioned above the reel, from which the treating liquid is showered down on .the thread on the reel and which is supplied from the-reagent supply line l08which may extend longitudinally of the spinning machine and thus be commonto all reels in the, horizontal series. The liquid, as it leaves the reel I05, may be deflected to the drain pipe I09 by means of a. slopingpa'rtition Iii.

Drain. pipe f I09 may also. extend longitudinally of I the spinning machine and serve all ,reels in a horizontal series, and may communicate with the sewer if-it is not desiredtore-use the treating liquid or, in conjunction with the supply pipe vI 08,-

may communicate with recirculating and makeup systems. v

A partition I I2 may be provided to segregate the space surroundingthereel from the evapora- V tive chamber 3 forming-in effect, a treating chamber H3. Reel I05 may be driven from a longitudinallyv extending drive shaft 34 through gears 35, 36. Door H0, which may contain a window, is shown. as providing access to the chamber 3 and reel I05. A suitable means, such as sliding latch H4, may be provided to decrease the,-opening in the partition II2 through which the thread passes to the reel, after the thread has once been started on the reel. A guide H5, to

associate the filaments and guide the thread as it starts on the reel I05, and a guide IIB to guide the thread as it leaves the reel may be provided. A slot 83 at the lower edge of the door H is shown through which the thread leaves the chamber.

If a liquid treatment is applied to the thread, it may be desirable to dry the thread before it is collected.

thread may readily be dried on reel. I06. The

apparatus shown for drying comprises a housing Ill enclosing substantially all of the reel I06 which housing is supplied with gaseous drying medium, such as heated air, from conduit I20 which may supply all similar drying housings and which may be supplied with drying medium from a suitable source. For the purpose, among others, of providing ease in threading up the reel, the housing II'l may be formed with a hinged cover I I8 or other suitable means for allowing access to the reel. The cover II8 may be swung back, as shown by thedotted lines 0', when threading up the reel and may be provided with a slot H9 at its edge to prevent interference with the thread starting on the reel when the cover H8 is closed. Reel I06 is shown as being supported by means of bracket I2I fastened to the frame of the spinning machine and being driven by chain I22 on sprocket I23 on the reel drive shaft I5, which chain I22 is driven by sprocket I24 on the drive shaft I25 which may serve all similar reels and is driven by suitable means not shown.

The reel I06 is shown in a position corresponding to that of the draw-off roller in conventional evaporative spinning machine; that is, with its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, and may be employed in that capacity if there is no reel preceding it, with the added advantage over the conventional draw-oi! roller that various processing treatments may be applied to the thread thereon. Obviously, the arrangements of the reels with regard to the evaporative chambers, as well as methods of mounting and driv ing the reels I and I06 and the methods of applying treating mediums to the thread stored thereon, are susceptible of various modifications.

The collecting deviceis shown as cap-twister I2 to which the thread passes from reel I06 through guide I, which may be pivoted as shown. Cap-twister I2 may be actuated by mechanism similar to that of Figures 1 and 2, wherefore no further description thereof is believed necessary. Other details of the apparatus may be conventional; for example, the means, such as pipe 42. for introduction of the evaporative medium into evaporative chamber 3; heating means, such as pipes 43 in the evaporative chamber; exhaust means. such as manifold 44, for removing the solvent-containing evaporative medium from chamber 3; window I0 for observing the spinneret and run of the thread; and door II for access to the upper region of the evaporative chamber.

It may also be advantageous in conjunction with relatively long evaporative chambers to perform certain processing operations solely by means of gaseous media. This may be accomplished by apparatus such as that of Figures 12 and 13 in which, for the purpose of illustration, another possible arrangement of reels is shown. In this arrangement, the reels, of which two bearing reference numerals I20, I21 are shown in connection with each evaporative chamber 3, are disposed in what might be termed staggered relationship with their axes parallel to each other In the embodiment shown, the

and extending longitudinally of the spinning machine. The receiving end of the succeeding reel is adjacent the discharge end of the preceding reel. A convenient method of mounting and driving the reels is illustrated on a larger scale in Figure 14. As can be seen from Figures 12, 13 and 14, corresponding reels in adjacent chambers may be disposed with their driving ends adjacent the wall between them, in consequence of which fact two reels may readily be driven by the same power means.

If desired, the reels I26, I21 may be separated from the evaporative chamber 3 or from each other by partitions I28, I29, which provide processing chambers I3I, I32, each of which may be provided with treating medium supply and exhaust conduits I33, I34 and doors I35, I36 for access to the chambers and reels. Suitable means, such as a slide latch I31. shown on the partition I28 between the first reel I26 and the evaporative chamber 3, may be provided to reduce the size of the aperture therein provided for the passage of the thread. As in certain previously described embodiments, the evaporative 4 medium for evaporative chamber 3 may be supplied from one of the processing chambers I3I, I32, if evaporative medium is used therein, or it may be supplied by some independent means, as pipe 42. Other details of the apparatus associated with the evaporative chamber may be more or less conventional, such as spinneret 2, candle filter 9, heating pipes 43, exhaust manifold 44, window 10, door II, etc.

Suitable means, such as guides I30, I39, may be supplied to'guide the thread as it starts on each reel. As in the other embodiments, a guide I may be located adjacent the discharge end of the last reel I21 to guide the thread as it leaves the chamber I32, as by slot at the edge of door I30. A guide BI, which may, if desired, be pivoted, may be provided for the thread as it passes to the collecting device, in this case cap-twister I2 which may be actuated by apparatus such as that previously described.

Figure 14 may be taken as representative of the means of mounting and driving all of the reels. For convenience, the reel at the left of Figure 14 will be assigned reference numeral I2Ia and the one at the right II"). In the embodiment shown, the boss member I8 on which the eccentric member of each reel is mounted and in which is journalled the drive shaft for.the reel, is supported on or formed integral with caplike'member' I43. Both cap-like members I43 are fastened diametrically opposite on the wall- I40 between adjacent chambers. On drive shaft lib of one reel I2") is mounted for rotation sprocket I44, rotated by chain I45, which is driven by sprocket I40 mounted on drive shaft I41 which may extend longitudinally of the machine and drive all the reels in a horizontal series. The drive from the drive shaft lib to drive shaft I5 of reel l21a may be accomplished by coupling member I49. Suitable collars I50 are shown fixed to shafts I5 and lib to prevent end play thereof and locate the reels axially. The reel mounting and driving means illustrated is simple and inexpensive of construction and may be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled.

Numerous advantages, in addition to the reduction in height of the spinning machine, in-

crease in eifectivenessin the removal of sol-' vents from the thread or the like, etc., accrue from the employment of one or more thread- 5 vaporous or gaseous treating mediums or solvents, It can be accomplished with thelaid of storage devices in the manufacture by an evaporative method of thread or the like, regardless of its nature. i

For instance, it is possible, according to this invention, to stretch or shrink the thread or the like while still plastic by suitable differences in the peripheral speeds of the thread storage de- A limited amount of stretching or shrinking may also be obtained by so constructing one or more of the thread-storage devices or reels vices.

that its diameter increases or decreases as the thread or the like progresses axially along it. Stretching of the thread or the like may also be secured by causing. one or more of the reels to be rotated by the drag of the thread or the like as it is drawn off the reel since a thread-storage reel of this type also performs a thread-advancing function when .operated in this manner. Suitable combinations of these methods may be used if desired. Stretching of the thread or'the like while still plastic is often desirable since improved physical properties, such as increased tensile strength, etc., result.

It has been found that improved results are obtained when the skin-like outer surface, which first forms on the thread or the like immediately after' extrusion, is softened as by means of suitable solvents, preferably the ones used in the spinning solution, applied in liquid or vapor form before or during the stretching of the thread or the like. The outer surface, being thus softened, does not crack or check as the thread or the like is stretched. It has also been found that thread or the like of cellulose acetate may be rendered resistant tothe action of hot or boiling aqueous liquids by stretching it beyond its elastic limit after it is finally set, the operation being carried on, if desired, after the thread or the like has been treated with water or a suitable liquid or vaporous agent. 7

According to this invention, it is possible to applysuch liquids or vapors to the thread or the like forthese or other purposes before or during stretching. This can be done, for instance, with the aid of the apparatus of Figures 8 and 9 and of Figures 12 and 13, particularly in the application to the thread or the like of the apparatus of Figures 10and-11in the application of liquid treating mediums or solvents.

In each case; the threads-or the like is appropriately stretched by suitable differences in the peripheral speeds of adjacent reels or by any of the other above-mentioned methods. The

thread 'or the like is dried if desired after stretching, as by drying reel lfliof Figures 10 and .11.

It is known that for certain types of thread or the-like, beneficial results are derived from evapcrating the solventin an atmosphere richly laden but not saturated with solvent vapors, rather than in an'atmosphere very low in such vapors. Theformation of the skin-dike surface'onrthe thread or the like is retarded or eliminated with elimination of the I consequent cracking and I checking of the surface which occurs when the plasticcore of the thread-or the like hardens. Other advantages also result, such as control over the shape of the cross-section,'control over the luster, etc. Such a process may readily be performed according to this invention, as on apparatus comprising oneor morethread-storage devices disposed in a processing chamber, since a much longer length of thread or the like than in a heated medium.

methods may be reduced or enhanced by thaapplication'of suitable gaseous, vaporous, orliquid treating media. Thusin the case of threador the like of organic derivatives .of cellulose; e. g., cellulose acetate, treating media such as steam, water, or liquids or vapors of such hydrocarbons as benzene, gasoline, or of certain alcohols, or of certain esters, ethers, etc. may be used to reduce the luster of the thread or the like. Similarly, xylene may be mentionedas an example of an agent for enhancing the luster ofthe thread or the like. Such processing treatments may be easily performed according to this invention since .they may be applied to the thread or the like on one or more thread-storage devices.

It is often desirable to subject thefthread or the like to ,difierentfevaporative conditionsat "different stages of evaporation of the solvent from the thread or the like, iriwhich case certain physical properties of the thread or the likeresult. This may easily be accomplished according to the invention, since the thread or. the like may be subjected todifferent evaporativeconditions while stored on difl'Ierentthread-storage devices. It has been found heretofore that a temperature in the vicinity ofthe spinning nozzle different from that of the'evaporative medium in other portions of theevapcrative chamber ,often produces desirable results,

As an example, it has been found that if thread or the like is spun into a relatively cold-evaporative atmosphere and subsequently subjected to heated evaporative medium, beneficial results with regard to uniformity, tensile strength, control over theluster, etc., of the threadfor the like are obtained,'presumably becausethe solvent is withdrawn from" the thread or the likeonly gradually at first, preventingfthe formation of a skin-like outer surface. However,,at tempts to producethe thread orthe like according to such process have hitherto'met with little success because of the much longer travel through the cold evaporative medium required of the thread orthe like, since: the solvent is extracted much more slowly in a" cold eva'porative medium than "According to this inventiomhowever', thread or they like may be produced under suchconditions size of the machines required are therefore eliminated by this invention. Q

f Yariou'sother-liquids, gaseous, or vaporous proc- The Y, disadvantages previously encountered because of the exce'ssive space and or the like by means of this invention; for instance, it may be found desirable to dye or tint the thread or the like with some distinctive colacter to facilitate its subsequent removal by some simple operation, such as washing with water, after it has served its purpose, as after the thread or the like has been formed into a fabric. Such tinting or other dyeing of the thread or the like may, according to this invention, be applied to the thread or the like continuously with-its production by suitable apparatus, such as the liquid processing apparatus associated with reel I05 of the embodiment of Figures 10 and 1.1, after which the thread or the like may be dried, as on reel I06, before being collected.

In all processing operations, such as those above, the invention provides uniformity of treatment, as'desired; ease of control of the treatments; economy of treating medium; economy of space, as well as other advantages.

Non-uniform or novelty effects may also be readily produced on the thread or the like by the methods and apparatus of this invention. Thus the peripheral speeds of the thread-storage devices with respect to each other and/or with respect to the speed of .extrusion of the spinning solution from the spinning nozzle may be varied during the operation of the apparatus at regular or irregular intervals, in which case varied stretching or shrinking effects are applied to the thread. Likewise, suitable liquids or vapors, such as solvent liquids or vapors, may be applied at regular or irregular intervals to the thread or the like when it is stored on one or more thread-storage devices, in which case the luster and/or surface characteristics of the I thread or the like will be correspondingly affected; etc.

The invention is particularly advantageous in the manufacture of thick filament bundles intended for use in making staple fiber, such articles being of relatively high denier. 8 'ch products are ordinarily dimcult to produce according to the conventional down-spinning evaporative methods because the filament bundle, being very soft immediately after issuing from the spinning nozzle, is not strong enough to support the weight of the length of the previously formed product extending" downward into the evaporative chamber. Other difficulties arise from the fact that a substantially longer travel is required through the home such articles of large denier according to the present invention. The greater part of the freshly spun product may be supported in close I proximityto the spinning nozzle on one or more thread-storage devices, thus eliminating the difficulty arising from its relatively great weight. Similarly, a much longer length of the product than heretofore possible may, by storing it on one or more thread-storage devices, be subjected to the action of the evaporative medium, the former difficulties of slow speed of production, excess 'of machine height due to the length of the evaporaessing treatments may be applied to the thread tive chamber heretofore required, etc., are therefore eliminated.

Heretofore one of the factors limiting the speed of manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning method has been the necessity for allowing a suflicient time for hardening of the thread or the like and removal of the solvent. Increase in speed of production would, according to conventional practice, necessitate a much longer evaporative chamber to allow a suflicient period for evaporation of the solvent; otherwise, an. even larger loss of residual solvent contained in the thread withdrawn from the chamber would result due to insuiiicient evaporation. According to this invention, however, a much longer length of thread or the like than heretofore possible may be subjected to the action of the evaporative medium in a small space, thus permitting complete extraction of the solvent from the thread or the like. Thus great increases in speeds of production of the thread or the like are possible without increases in space requirements or losses of solvents.

Only a few of many posslble embodiments of the invention have been shown and described; indeed, various other embodiments of the invention may be devised and numerous modifications may be made in the embodiments herein shown without departing in any way from the spirit of the invention. It is obvious, for instance, that the arrangements of thread-storage devices shown herein as employed in or in connection with relatively long evaporative chambers may be employed in or in connection with relatively short evaporative chambers and vice versa. Similarly, although the invention has been described in connection with downspinning evaporative processes, it may also be employed advantageously in connection with upspinning evaporative processes. pointed out, the invention transcends the manufacture of multiple filament artificial silk thread of cellulose acetate, being applicable to any thread or the like capable of being manufactured by an evaporative spinning method.

The invention is not restricted to the particular type of thread-storage device hereinabove shown and described. Any suitable type of threadstorage device may be used, but preferably one on which, by the action ofthe device, thread or the like is continuously but temporarily stored in a relatively large number of helical or generally As has been,

Iii.

helical turns. Whereas the thread-storage device hereinabove described comprises two generally cylindrical cage members mounted with their axes slightly offset from and inclined to each other, a similar effect may be obtained by means of two generally cylindrical members mounted with their axes similarly inclined but offset sufficiently to separate the peripheries of the two cylindrical members completely. The term "generally helica as employed in the appended claims is intended to include this type of thread-storage device. A

Other arrangements of the thread-storage devices, both with respect to each other and with respect to the evaporative chamber, may also be used, the arrangements of devices in the hereinabove described embodiments of the invention being merely illustrative. Likewise, the arrangements of the thread-storage devices of the various embodiments may, if desired, be interchanged. It is obvious that the partitions shown in certain embodiments of the invention as separating the thread-storage devices from each other and! 'ber and to perform various desired liquid or gaseous processing treatments thereon in the manner previously described.

It is intended that the patentshall cover, by-

suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process comprising means forforming the thread or the like a chamber for extracting solvent from the thread or the like to solidify the same; one or more thread-advancing thread-storage devices disposed in said chamber, each of said thread-advancing, thread-storage devices being constructed and arranged to positively advance the thread or the like in the general form of a helix characterized by a large number of turns; and means for subjecting the thread or the like on at least one thread-advancing, thread-storage device to processing treatment other than removal of'the solvent from the thread or the like.

2. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process comprising means for forming the thread or the like;

an evaporative chamber; a pluralityof threadstorage devices associated with said evaporative chamber onwhich the thread or the like is positively advanced in generally helical form, at least one of said thread-storage devices being disposed in said evaporative chamber; and means for operating one of said thread-storage devices at a peripheral speed different from that of another of said thread-storage devices.

3. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process comprising a first chamber; means in said first chamher for forming the thread or the like; a second chamber to which the thread or the like proceeds from said first chamber; and, disposed in said second chamber, at least one thread-storage device by means of which .the thread or the like is continuously stored in the general form of a helix characterized by a large number of turns.

4. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process comprising means for forming the thread or the like; a chamber for extracting solvent from the thread or the like to solidify the same; and, disposed in said chamber, a plurality of thread-advancing thread-storage devices each of which is constructed and arranged to positively advance the thread or the like in generally helical form, the receiving end of each thread-advancing, thread-storage device other than the first being disposed in opposite relation to the discharge end like; an evaporative chamber; a thread-storage device disposed in said' evaporative chamber by,

means of which the thread or the like is continuously stored in a large number of generally helical turns; and means for applying a treating medium to the thread or the like from the interior of said thread-storage device.

6. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process comprising an evaporative chamber; means for forming the thread or the like disposed in said evaporative chamber; a thread-storage device by means ofwhich the thread or the like is continuously stored in a large number of generally helical turns disposed in said chamber at a pdint spaced from said thread-forming means by an amount suflicient to permit the thread or the like leaving said thread-forming means to achieve a condition of partial solidification before it reaches-said thread-storage device; and, associated with said chamber, means for collecting the thread or the like.

7. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning method comprising an evaporative chamber; means forforming the thread or. the like disposed in said evaporative chamber; a thread-storage, threadadvancing device of .cantilever form disposed in said evaporative chamber at a point spaced from' comprising a vertically extending evaporative chamber; means for forming the thread or the like disposed in said evaporative chamber at the upper portion thereof; -a unitary, thread-advanc ing reel associated with said evaporative chamher at the lower portion of said chamber whereby the thread or the like is withdrawn from said thread-forming means; and means for collecting the thread or the like.

9. Apparatus of the character described in I claim 8 in which means for subjecting the thread or the like to processing treatment are associated with said reel.

10. Apparatus forthe manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process comprising means for forming the thread or the like; a chamber for extracting solvent from the thread or the like to solidify the same; one or more thread-advancing reels of cantilever form disposed in said chamber below said thread-forming means, each of said reels being adapted to receive the thread or the like at its supportedend and positively advance it toward its unsupported end in a large number of generally helical turns; and meansfor withdrawingthe thread or the'like from said chamber.

11. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process comprising a chamber for extracting solvent from the thread or the like to solidify the same;

means for forming the thread or the like disposed in said chamber; one or more thread-advancing reels of cantilever form disposedin said chamber, each of said reels being adapted to' receive the thread or like at its supported end and positively advance it toward its unsupported end in a large number of generally helical turns; and means for withdrawing the thread or the like from said chamber.

12. Apparatus for manufacturing thread or the like by a spinning method comprising an evaporative chamber for extracting solvent from the thread or the like to solidify the same; means for forming the thread or the like disposed in said chamber at one end thereof; a thread-storage device by means of which the thread or the like is positively advanced in a large number of generally helical turns, said thread-storage device being disposed in said chamber at a point spaced from said thread-forming means by an amount sufficient to permit the thread or the like leaving said thread-forming means to achieve a condition of partial solidification before it reaches said thread-storage device; and means for withdrawing the thread or the like from said chamber.

13. A method of manufacturing thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process comprising a the steps of forming the thread or the like; positively advancing the thread or the like, prior to complete solidification thereof, in a large number of generally helical turns in an evaporative chamber; positively advancing the thread or the like in a large number of generally helical turns under conditions diiferent from those obtaining in said evaporative chamber; and collecting the thread or the like.

14. A method of manufacturing thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process comprising the steps of forming the thread or the like; passing the thread or the like, prior to complete solidification thereof, through an evaporative chamber; positively advancing the thread or the like in a large number of generally helical turns under conditions different from those obtaining in said evaporative chamber; and collecting the thread or the like.

15. A method of manufacturing thread orv the like by an evaporative spinning process comprising the steps of forming the thread or the like; passing the thread or the like, prior to complete solidification thereof, through an evaporative chamber, meanwhile positively advancing the thread or the like within said evaporative chamber in a large number of generally helical turns; and collecting the thread or the like.

16. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process comprising a chamber for extracting solvent from the thread or the like to solidify the same; a spinning nozzle disposed in said chamber; and, spaced from said spinning nozzle, one or more thread-advancing, thread-storage devices, each of said thread-advancing, thread-storage devices being constructed and arranged to positively advance the thread or the .like in the general form of a helix characterized by a large number of turns.

17. In the manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process pursuant to which a volatile organic solvent is evaporated from a dispersion of a thread-forming mass in such volatile organic solvent, the steps of forming the thread or the like; evaporating the volatile organic solvent from the thread or the like while continuously positively advancing a relatively long length thereof in a large number of closely spaced generally helical turns in a zone characterized by an evaporative medium secluded from the atmosphere; and passing the tlmead or the like out of the zone in which it is exposed to the action of said evaporative medium.

18. In the manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process pursuant to which a volatile organic solvent is evaporated from a dispersion of a thread-forming mass in such volatile organic solvent, the steps of forming the thread or the like evaporating substantially all of the volatile organic solvent from the thread or the like by means of a gaseous evaporative medium while continuously positively advancing a relatively long length of the thread or the like in a traveling helix made up of a large number of closely spaced turns located in a closed chamber through which said gaseous evaporative medium is passed; and, after the thread or the like has been advanced in said traveling helix, withdrawing the thread or the like from said chamber.

19. Apparatus for the'manufacture of thread or the like by an evaporative spinning process comprising means for forming the thread or the like; a chamber containing an evaporative medium for extracting solvent from the thread or the like to solidify the same, said chamber having an opening therein through which the thread or the like may leave said chamber; and a selfa condition of at least partial solidification before'it reaches said reel, said reel receiving the thread or the like at the supported end thereof, positively advancing it toward the unsupported end thereof in a large number of closely spaced generally helical turns, and discharging it adjacent the opening in said chamber.

FRED J. SAMERDYKE. LOUIS E. LOVE'I'I.

a CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,217,707. October 1 191 0.

FRED J. SAIY'EERDYKE, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, line 14.5, and second column, line 28, the words "The foregoing" and "Analogous" respectively, O l m the beginning of a new paragraph;-

page 9, first column, line 21, claim 1, after "thread-advancing" insert a comma; line 60-, claim 1;, after the syllable "vancing" insert a comma; line 65, same claim, for "opposite" read "apposite"; and second column, line 57, claim 8, strike out the comma after "unitary"; page 10, second column, line 21, claim 18, after "like" inserts semicolon; and. that the said. Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case inthe Patent 'Qffic e. l. v

Signed and sealed this 21st day of January, 'A. 13-. 191 1;

Henri Van Arsdale (Seal) 7 Act1ng 0onun1ss10ner of Patents. 

